A few hours before the match against Verona, with San Siro sold out for the last game of the year, Allegri spoke at a press conference, addressing several key topics. Among them, Milan’s ongoing struggles against the so-called “smaller” teams stand out, a recurring weakness that the Rossoneri staff is working to address.
In this context, a possible solution is the addition of Niclas Füllkrug to the attack. By profile and experience, the German represents exactly the type of player the Milan squad has lacked so far, as Allegri himself pointed out. The coach explained that the striker will need time to regain full fitness to potentially be available for the January 2 match against Cagliari. The plan is not to rush him, giving him an appropriate period to adapt, while acknowledging the urgency of having a true focal point for the offensive play.
With Füllkrug, Milan gains presence in the box and greater aerial threat, two aspects that have been underused so far. Yet for a team with top-table ambitions, the ability to create chances from set-pieces is crucial, especially against opponents with very compact defensive lines like Verona, as relayed via Milan Press. It is no coincidence that the Rossoneri have scored just two goals from aerial play, a modest return considering the presence of specialists such as Rabiot, Pavlović, Gabbia, and Loftus-Cheek, all skilled in heading.
Allegri also emphasized the importance of improving the team’s match approach. In the last four games, including the Supercup, Milan has always fallen behind: a warning sign highlighting lapses in concentration early on and a tendency to concede before reacting. The coach also drew attention to the number of goals conceded too easily, a risk that should be avoidable, especially against teams with lower offensive potential.
In this scenario, a player like Füllkrug could make a real difference: his international experience, combined with natural competitive aggression, can add the touch of “bite” that the team currently lacks.
Verona therefore represents a new, extremely delicate challenge that Allegri’s team must overcome to clarify its ambitions and stay in contention for the Champions League. A win would not only maintain the progress made but also send a strong message to the league: Milan wants to compete, wants to grow, and wants to do so steadily, particularly against the opponents who have caused the most trouble so far.
